An unknown story from the Yom Kippur war: Israeli F-4s vs North Korean MiG-21s

Even if the McDonnell Douglas F-4 was developed as interceptor in response to the need of the U.S. Navy to protect their aircraft carrier, the ultimate version of the Phantom II was the USAF F-4E, a multi-role fighter which was also sold to several air forces around the world.

One of the countries to operate the F-4E was Israel that procured the first examples of the plane in 1969 and later made it the mainstay of its Air Power: the mighty Phantom took part in all the major Arab-Israeli conflicts.

In 1973, during the Yom Kippur War, the Israeli Air force (IAF) found itself facing an Arab Air Forces coalition which was composed not only by Egyptian and Syrian fighter squadrons, but also by units from Algeria, Iraq, Libya and … North Korea, that deployed a MiG-21 squadron to Bir Arida to protect Egypt’s south.

Obviously, at the time, IAF pilots didn’t know that some of the MiGs they would face were from North Korea. However the first engagement between North Korean pilots and Israeli pilots took place on Oct. 6, 1973 when two F-4 Kurnass (Sledgehammer) pairs from 69 and 119 Squadrons were scrambled from Ramat David Air Base for a patrol over the Gulf of Suez sector.

The F-4s of the two squadrons were teamed together and the 69 pair (which had their crews formed by Shadmi and Gur on board the first aircraft and Shpitzer and Ofer on the other one) leading the mission.

Image credit: IAF

It was only after a long patrol, when the jets were already low on fuel, that the F-4s were vectored towards Egypt’s west-northwest: even if they were flying at the high altitude, between 20,000 and 25,000 feet, Gur spotted the pair on his radar, at lower altitude, in a position where achieving a radar lock would be extremely difficult. With the help of a GCI (Ground Control Intercept) station the Israeli Phantoms tracked the enemy formation. Although at suitable distance for an AIM-7 shot, the two F-4s could not engage the enemy planes because bad weather prevented the from indentifying the “bandits.”

However, seconds later, the Israeli pilots saw the two MiG-21s and immediately engaged them: one of the MiGs disappeared, while the other Fishbed was forced into a 1 vs 2 combat.

Alone against the two Kurnass (supported by two more F-4s from 119 Squadron which were flying overhead), the MiG pilot could not escape missile-lock: first, Shadmi and Gur launched an AIM-9D; a second later, they launched another Sidewinder which was followed by a third AIM-9D launched by Shpitzer and Ofer from the other Kurnass.

All the missiles exploded very close to the MiG, but the Fishbed continued flying.

With little gas remaining for more dogfighting, the Israeli Phantoms were forced to skip the engagement and return to base. As they turned eastbound, Gur looked at the MiG and noticed the Fishbed was leaving a white smoke trail. Suddenly, after the F-4s had crossed the coastline, Gur saw the trail of a SAM (Surface to Air Missile) and then an explosion at around 20,000 feet quite close to the MiG-21: Egyptians had shot down one of their aircraft (as it was later confirmed by the IAF Intelligence)!

Only after the end of the war the pilots became aware that the MiG-21 belonged to North Korea.

Image credit: IAF

Today the 69 Squadron Hammers is based to Hatzerim Air Base and flies the powerful F-15I Ra’am (Thunder) which replaced the mighty F-4 Kurnass beginning in 1998.

I have tried to search all the best and confirmed info before writing this article and I can say it was on 6 December. However if you have got more details, they are most welcomed!

Lama glama

Dario,

The hostilities started on 06-Oct. and ended on 25-Oct. If the encounter took place on 06-Dec., it didn’t take place during the war but shortly thereafter.

Tom Demerly

A usual, this was a great story. Thanks for sharing!

humphrey

I guess there’s no restrictions when you have to fire a AIM-9 from a F4 but when I see the picture I wonder if the fully deflected flaps could be a problem as they clearly interact with the plume of the missile.

ST0RM

Thats because the photo in question was taken from the rear of a C-130 and not in combat. In regards to the story, how were the MiG-21s positively identified as being flown by NK pilots? Were they flying their own jets too?

phuzz

Do they not drop a meter or two before igniting?

Egyptian Pilot

that is not true

the only role they had is to defend Cairo, they never had dogfights combat with anyone in Egypt, and also some of them were low quality pilots not as the article declared . the only NON Egyptian pilots were IRAQI

Ivan

Can you show some pictures of Libyan Mirage 5DE from the war in in 1973.

Ronnie Fairley

he doesnt know his own history lol

anonymous

Sources of this story?

cencio4

The book “Hammers: Israel’s Long-Range Heavy Bomber Arm: The Story of 69 Squadron” contains details about the NK involvement in the War.

Martin

Would love to know the camo scheme of the NK Migs

VFA41_Lion

The only time David can be guaranteed of a comment response in his articles is if it has to do with Israel. :p

Markus Jabel

anyone who can contribute and with professional interest related to IAF during Yom Kippur War , has a complete facebook page with visible details and dont live in an enemy or Arabic country can join our forum at https://www.facebook.com/groups/254605061384712/

John C

Please, dear chap, get this edited by a native English speaker: the article is fascinating but the English is dreadful.

cencio4

Still well above what we read on important American media outlets written by native English speakers….

Socials

Categories

The Aviationist patch

Send me an email if you want to support this site buying the original TheAviationist.com patch, only available through this website!